Longtime Minnesota congressman dies

AMY FORLITIAssociated Press Published: May 4, 2014 8:00 AM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, who represented northeastern Minnesota for 36 years and brought millions of dollars to the state as chair of the powerful House Transportation Committee, died unexpectedly early Saturday morning. He was 79.

A statement released by his family said Oberstar died in his sleep. A cause of death was not provided. His former chief of staff, Bill Richard, said Oberstar died at his home in Potomac, Maryland.

Oberstar, a Democrat, was elected to Congress in 1974 and served 18 terms -- the state's longest-serving member of Congress. Oberstar became chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in 2006.

He was a champion for transportation safety and improvements and supported a concept known as intermodality.